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10-08-2012, 03:13 PM | #1 | ||
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2013 Ford Focus ST Review Thread
Reviews of the 2013 Focus ST are starting to pop up left and right...
Inside Line Track Test Quote:
Road & Track 2013 Focus ST vs. Mazdaspeed 3 vs. Volkswagen GTI Quote:
Last edited by rexster; 10-08-2012 at 03:30 PM. |
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10-08-2012, 04:02 PM | #2 |
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I truly wonder how much payola has gone into the release campaign for this car, though.
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10-08-2012, 05:43 PM | #3 | |
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I came back the next day to test it out.. and if it weren't so small overall (and my hopes weren't so high for the WRX to come out this time next year in a form I will actually buy) I'd have one on order right now. The reviews are too positive in general for me to think anyone got paid off by Ford to talk it up. They seem accurate per my experience. |
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10-08-2012, 06:18 PM | #4 | |
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The MS3 basically runs circles around it according to the tests being released. Not to say that it isn't a good car and a good value.. but Ford's advertising firm took a few liberties. .. oh, and then there were some issues with production (or the timing or soemthing), so the car was basically being delivered after the magazines had published their first drives.. but these tests are now about 6 weeks overdue. |
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10-08-2012, 06:38 PM | #5 |
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Yeah and it's pretty soft too! Having driven the ST in anger and given the choice I would still choose the WRX. Suspension was way soft and shifter was pretty vague. The current WRX is just more fun and engaging.
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10-09-2012, 01:37 AM | #6 | ||
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The ST is bringing some serious game, and its only in its first year. This is born again Ford we're talking about. They ****ed up in years past, they aren't taking any chances with their new mission. They are coming back hard, and this car will be no exception. Issues will be sorted. I hated ford for many, many years because they represented everything I hated about US cars. They are changing my mind rather fast. I want the ST to succeed because it will keep the game alive. Mitsu buried their dicks in the sand by pooping on the next evo, I don't want other companies to think this a what the consumers deem as acceptable. Competition among companies is good for consumers. Don't be so quick to massage the WRX's taint, it's not the only fun 4dr turbo out there. Last edited by Dex; 10-09-2012 at 01:47 AM. |
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10-10-2012, 12:43 AM | #7 | |
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10-08-2012, 07:44 PM | #8 |
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I had to pick my brother up at the ford dealer because he was dropping his new (and in the process of lemon law) focus off for the umpteenth time and they had the yellow ST there. I love how it looks but the sticker price was kind of obscene at 29k.
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10-08-2012, 08:00 PM | #9 | |
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If it's got a crazy dealer mark-up, though, then I could see it being obscene, yes. |
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10-08-2012, 09:30 PM | #10 | |
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10-08-2012, 09:14 PM | #11 |
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I test drove an ST today
Out of the box it was a better car than my 2011 WRX. Steering was direct and very communicative. The brakes are simply stunning. The shifter is very good as well. Just enough resistance and feel to inspiring confidence. The car had a great sound. And solid feel. However whoever called it soft Is completely wrong!!!! It is a stiffly sprung car , stiffer than the STI (which I drove 20 min later mind you) Yes the STI WAS A MORE COMFORTABLE CAR. As for handling, the ST Felt far more nimble than my old stock WRX The new ST IS very good. The hype for the car is very deserved. I had issues with the RECAROs of all things. They were not all that comfy. I am 5'10" at 190 lbs. I will write up a full review later |
10-09-2012, 09:57 AM | #12 | |
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1) The steering is entirely electronic, any sensations you thought you had were simulated. 2) The engine sound is piped into the cabin through the sound system. If you honestly liked both of things in spite of them being entirely fake, then more power to Ford! These things are the inevitable wave of the future. I am just wondering if you knew about them going into it. |
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10-09-2012, 10:05 AM | #13 | |
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10-09-2012, 10:08 AM | #14 | |
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I'll be honest, I gawked at the thought of this when I saw it being put in several cars. In a purist sense I hate it, but for a daily driver it's honestly quite good. Speaking from my experience with the GTI and a friend's new Mustang GT, you get a quiet cabin when you want to, but stab the throttle and the engine will growl at you. Once again, it's great for a car you're going to spend a lot of time in, but if it's say your second fun/weekend car, you probably won't be as thrilled. Fortunately I have another car for that so in the GTI I don't mind it. Last edited by endlesss; 10-09-2012 at 10:37 AM. |
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10-09-2012, 11:07 AM | #15 | |
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And I realize I forgot to mention something...or did I Torque steer..The fact that I did not write about it should tell you something. Is it non existent? NO. But unless you drive with one finger on the wheel, it is a complete non issue. Granted it was dry and I was not smoking tires during my test drive out of respect for the car. I drove the car like I would on my daily commute, and it was FUN. Which is the single most important thing a car can be. to put it perspective, I put the car in third gear and let go of the wheel and floored it and it took off. The wheel gradually and barely moved to the right when it was nearing redline. The torque steer compensation system definitely works well. Very UN MS3-like. Last edited by SCRAPPYDO; 10-09-2012 at 11:19 AM. |
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10-09-2012, 11:24 AM | #16 |
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thanks for the write up, sounds like a car worth considering.
I'm thrilled Ford decided to make this available to the USDM ! |
12-14-2012, 07:10 PM | #17 | |
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Electric assist is not drive by wire, it is not simulated. The engine sound is piped into the cabin via a hose not sound system. Read more, write less. Krzys PS If you think good ST does not translate into better WRX or STI you are wrong. |
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10-09-2012, 10:47 AM | #18 |
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10-08-2012, 11:56 PM | #19 |
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Don't call me wrong for saying its soft as both my coworker and I both agreed it was and both agreed the WRX (not the STI) is better. I drove it in an autox course where did you drive it? Drive them both in a performance environment and then tell me how you feel!
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10-09-2012, 12:15 AM | #20 |
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So the WRX with the brakes that are useless after a 15 minute track day is better
Or is the slow steering better Or maybe it's the clumsy shifter Or the lazy way the stock suspension rolls durning transitions Not sure what about the ST. You felt was soft. I drove my WRX on numerous long haul trips and was sublimely comfortable The ST was jarring and very stiff I have autocrossed enough Subarus to know their weaknesses. Just like the MS3 was a better car out of the box than the WRX THE ST is as well. Stop being a fanboi and tell the truth |
10-09-2012, 03:54 AM | #21 | |
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10-09-2012, 10:38 AM | #22 |
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10-09-2012, 01:03 AM | #23 |
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As much as I love new platforms, I can't take FWD cars seriously.
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10-09-2012, 02:37 AM | #24 |
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I'm just stating my opinion of the ST having autocrossed it. I said i feel the wrx is more fun and engaging i.e. a comparison. If others feel differently that's fine that's why they're opinions. Just don't call someone wrong because their opinion is different than yours. In glad the ST exists its just not for me.
Last edited by Lminette; 10-09-2012 at 03:00 AM. |
10-09-2012, 08:39 AM | #25 |
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I feel I must clarify something
I LOVED my 2011 WRX. I really did. But that love did not materialize until after I got new rims and good tires, bigger front and rear sway bars. And a stage 2 tune via access port The WRX is a wonderful platform to build as extreme of a car as you want. That is its inherent beauty. It is a robust and moldable as you want it Cars like the MS3 and probably the Focus ST have a mod ceiling that the WRX does not have. But they are both sharper from the start than the WRX It is a trade off. If you want a stellar driver from day one get one of the FWD hot hatches. You will be very happy. The WRX is good but is dull when new. Luckily it has tons of grip to make up for it. Thems the facts folks Your perception may be different and to be fair you are entitled to it. Even though the vast majority of the automotive world would disagree |
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